WO2021079366A1

WO2021079366A1 - System and method for providing and detecting volatile compounds (vcs), from liquids

Info

Publication number: WO2021079366A1
Application number: PCT/IL2020/051106
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yair PASKA; Ido HAUZER; Orna BARASH; Oren Gavriely
Original assignee: Nanoscent Ltd.
Priority date: 2019-10-22
Filing date: 2020-10-22
Publication date: 2021-04-29

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for collecting and detecting volatile compounds (VCs), from liquids. The system may include: at least one turbulation unit, for causing turbulent flow in a liquid containing at least one source of VCs, wherein, the liquid is located inside a container having at least one inlet for introducing at least one of, the liquid and the at least one source of VCs; one or more scent recorders; and one or more holders, connectable to the container, for holding the at least one turbulation unit at least partially submerged in the liquid, and for holding the one or more scent recorders above the surface of the liquid.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AND DETECTING VOLATILE COMPOUNDS (VCS), FROM LIQUIDS FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates generally to the field of detection of a volatile compound. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of collection and detection of volatile compound from liquids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Scent recorders, also known in the art as, electronic noises are devices that configured to detect the presence of volatile compounds (VCs) in a gas phase. A scent recognition system may include of one or more scent recorders and computerized system for analyzing signals received from the one or more scent recorders when a VC reacts with sensing elements included in the scent recorders and produces an electric signal. VCs that are dissolved in a liquid or VCs from a solid source that is covered by a liquid cannot be directly detected by such scent recorders. Accordingly, any known scent recording systems that detect VCs from liquid medium relays on the natural convection and evaporation processes for the delivering the VCs from the surface of the liquid to the scent recorder.

[003] An example for a prior art scent recognition system, assembled in the vicinity of a toilet bowel 10, is illustrated in Fig. 1. The prior art system(s) may be used for detection of pathological and normal physiological process in human. VCs originated from human feces 20 and/or a urine dissolved in water 30 may reach a scent recorder 120, via diffusion and convection process. Upon exposure to human feces and urine volatile compounds (VCs), computerized system (not illustrated) may receive signals from a scent recorder 120 that could then be compared to server database for the purpose of inferring a pathological and normal physiological process in humans or for controlling the release of air freshener fragrance in the vicinity of a toilet. Scent recorder 120 can be removable, attachable, or intergraded in toilet bowel 10.

[004] However, detecting feces VCs in the vicinity of a toilet bowel is very challenging. For example, a human seating on toilet bowel release feces in uncontrolled manner. Therefore, the timing of sensing process in the scent recorder to the release of feces from human body is very difficult. Furthermore, upon release, feces drop down within about 1 second into and under the toilet bowel bottom water level, leaving very short time for uninterrupted feces VCs to reach from the feces to the sent recorder. Additionally, Uninterrupted feces VCs are significantly different than feces VCs reaching from feces located under the water. In the latter case VCs transport process may include: diffusion of VCs from feces over fecesYwater interface, diffusion off VCs from vicinity of feces via water to water\air interface, evaporation of VCs across water\air interface, and diffusion of VC from vicinity of water\air interface via air to the scent recorder. This process takes relatively longer time, therefore is not suitable for fast sensing process and fast acquisition of feces information using scent recorders. More significantly some of the information could be lost due to tendency of water to hold some of the polar VCs and\or block some of the non-polar VCs from leaving the feces, therefore preventing from these VCs from reaching the scent recorder.

[005] The same can be applied for detecting any type of VC originated from either a solid covered with liquid or from compounds dissolved in the liquid, using a scent recorder. Such liquid can be held or processes in a sewage pit, a wastewater pit, an industrial sullage pit, a drinking water pit and a chemical reactor and the like.

[006] Accordingly, there is a need for a system that can effectively deliver or provide VC in gas phase, originated from either a solid covered with liquid or from compounds dissolved in the liquid, to scent recorders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[007] Some aspects of the invention may be related to a system for collecting and detecting volatile compounds (VCs), from liquids, including: at least one turbulation unit, for causing turbulent flow in a liquid containing at least one source of VCs, wherein, the liquid is located inside a container having at least one inlet for introducing at least one of, the liquid and the at least one source of VCs; one or more scent recorders; and one or more holders, connectable to the container, for holding the at least one turbulation unit at least partially submerged in the liquid, and for holding the one or more scent recorders above the surface of the liquid.

[008] In some embodiments, the at least one turbulation unit may include one of: a mechanical stirrer, a magnetic stirrer, sonication unit, vibration unit and a heating element. In some embodiments, the at least one turbulation unit may include at least one of: a pump, a pipe, a pressurized gas source and nozzle for providing gas to the liquid. In some embodiments, the system may further include a filter for filtering the gas provided to the at least one turbulation unit, from undesired at least one of: VCs, humidity and dust. In some embodiments, the container has at least one outlet for discharging at least one of: the liquid and the source of VCs.

[009] In some embodiments, the container may be a toilet. In some embodiments, the container may be selected from, a sewage pit, a wastewater pit, an industrial sullage pit, a drinking water pit and a chemical reactor. In some embodiments, the system may include a single holder for holding the at least one turbulation unit and the one or more scent recorders. [010] In some embodiments, the system may further include a controller configured to control the at least one turbulation unit to provide the turbulent flow to the liquid in an amount sufficient to convey VCs to the one or more scent recorders. In some embodiments, the controller may further be configured to: receive from the one or more scent recorders an input indicative to at least one of: the level of VCs and a type of VCs detected by the one or more scent recorders; and control the turbulation unit to increase the turbulent flow if the level of VCs is below a required level. In some embodiments, the controller may further be configured to: receive from the one or more scent recorders an input indicative to at least one of: the level of VCs and a type of VCs detected by the one or more scent recorders; and control the turbulation unit to increase the turbulent flow if one or more predetermined types of VCs were not detected.

[Oil] In some embodiments, the one or more scent recorders comprise one or more inlet elements to introducing the VCs into surfaces of one or more sensors, configured to detect VCs, included in each scent recorder. In some embodiments, wherein each inlet element comprises a filter for filtering at least one of: undesired particles, humidity and VCs.

[012] In some embodiments, the VCs may be originated from a solid source located inside the container and covered with the liquid. In some embodiments, the VCs may be dissolved in the liquid.

[013] Some aspects of the invention may be directed to a container including a system according to any one of embodiments disclosed herein.

[014] Some aspects of the invention may be directed to a method of collecting and detecting volatile compounds (VCs), from liquids. The method may include: providing turbulent flow to a liquid containing at least one source of VCs, using a turbulation unit; receiving, form one or more scent recorders, signals indicating at least one of: the level and type of detected VCs; and controlling the amount of turbulent flow provided to the liquid according to the received signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[015] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[016] Fig. 1 is an illusration of a prior art scent recorder assembled in a toilet;

[017] Fig. 2A is an illusration of a system for providing and detecting VCs from liquids according to some embodiments of the invention;

[018] Fig. 2B is a block diagram of a system for providing and detecting VCs from liquids, according to some embodiments of the invention;

[019] Fig. 3 is an illusration of a system for providing and detecting VCs from liquids, assembled in toilet, according to some embodiments of the invention;

[020] Fig. 4 is an illusration of a system for providing and detecting VCs from liquids, assembled in toilet, according to some embodiments of the invention;

[021] Fig. 5 is an illusration of a system for providing and detecting VCs from liquids, assembled in toilet, according to some embodiments of the invention;

[022] Fig. 6 is an illusration of a system for providing and detecting VCs from liquids held in a container according to some embodiments of the invention; and [023] Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a method of providing and detecting VCs from liquids according to some embodiments of the invention.

[024] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [025] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components, modules, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Some features or elements described with respect to one embodiment may be combined with features or elements described with respect to other embodiments. For the sake of clarity, discussion of same or similar features or elements may not be repeated.

[026] Some aspects of the invention may be related a system and method for collecting and detecting VCs originated from liquids, held in various containers and from solid objects covered by the liquids. The system may include means of accelerating the transport of VCs using convection mechanism from the liquid (e.g., a liquid containing feces) to a scent recorder. In a nonlimiting example, that include collecting an detecting VCs from feces in a toilet bowl, illustrated in Fig. 2A, the VCs transport process may include: convection of VCs from the feces to the fecesYwater interface, providing turbulent flow (e.g., mixing) to the toilet bowel water and causing a convection of VCs from vicinity of feces via the water to watcriair interface. The VCs may then be transferred from the watcriair interface, via convection to the scent recorder. Such a system and process may be applied to any container containing liquids. Therefore, a system according to some embodiments of the invention may accelerate the transfer of VCs to the scent recorder in order to achieve fast sensing process without loss of information.

[027] As used herein the term “volatile compound” (VC) may be related to any volatile material, either organic or inorganic compound. Some examples for VCs may include: Cr2_, O2, H2, CH4, NH3, CH3OH, SOx, NOx BTEX (e.g., benzene, toluene, toluene, ethyl benzene, ortho-xylene, para-xylene, meta-xylene), glycol, ethylbenzene, alcohols, acids, esters, aldehydes, ketones, alkanes, alkenes, alicyclics, benzenoids, heterocyclics, s-containing, n- containing, chlorinated ethanoic, butanoic, pentanoic acids, benzaldehyde, ethanal, carbon disulfide, dimethyldisulfide, acetone, 2-butanone, 2,3-butanedione, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2- one, indole, and 4-methylphenol and the like.

[028] As used herein, the term “container’ may include any vessel, pit, maintenance hole, tank, pipe, industrial unit that is configured to hold liquids. Some examples for containers may include: a toilet, a sewage pit, a wastewater pit, an industrial sullage pit, a drinking water pit and a chemical reactor. A container according to embodiments of the invention may have at least one inlet for introducing at least one of: the liquid and the source of VCs and/or at least one outlet for discharging at least one of: the liquid and the source of VCs. [029] Reference is now made to Fig. 2A which is an illustration of a system for collecting and detecting VCs from liquids according to some embodiments of the invention. A system 100 for collecting and detecting VCs from liquids may include at least one turbulation unit 110, for causing turbulent flow in a liquid 30 containing at least one source of VCs. In some embodiments, liquid 30 may be located inside a container 10 having at least one inlet 12 for introducing at least one of, liquid 30 and at least one source of VC 20. In some embodiments, container 10 may have at least one outlet 14 for discharging at least one of: liquid 30 and source of VCs 20. In some embodiments, the VCs may be originated from a solid source 20 located inside container 10 and covered with liquid 30, for example, feces in toilet bowl, as illustrated. In some embodiments, the VCs may be dissolved in liquid 30, for example, urine dissolved in toilet water. Other examples for different containers and liquids are illustrated and discussed with respect to Fig. 6.

[030] As should be understood by one skilled in the art, the illustrated toilets in Figs. 2A, 3, 4, and 5 are given as examples only. A system and method according to any embodiment of the invention is not limited to the specific use in toilets and can be assembled into any container configured to hold a source of VCs in a liquid to be detected by a scent recorder located above the surface of the liquid.

[031] In the nonlimiting example illustrated in Fig. 2A VCs originated from solid source 20 (e.g., feces) transported from solid source 20, which is covered with liquid 30 (e.g., water) in container 10 (e.g., a toilet bowel) bottom to a scent recorder 120 included in system 100. Turbulation unit 110 may be designed to accelerate VCs transport from solid source 20 under the liquid 30 or VCs dissolved in liquid 30 to scent recorder 120 by introducing turbulent flow to liquid 30. The turbulent flow may accelerate one or all of: solid source VCs transport from solid to water, VCs transport from the vicinity of solid source 20 to the liquid 30 and to the interface of liquid 30 with the air, and VCs transport from the interface to the air to scent recorder 120, for example, within few seconds (e.g., up to 5 seconds). [032] In some embodiments, turbulation unit 110 may include any device that can introduce turbulent flow to liquid 30. Some nonlimiting examples are illustrated and discussed with respect to Figs. 3-5. For example, turbulation unit 110 may include a mechanical stirrer, a magnetic stirrer, sonication unit, vibration unit and a heating element. In the nonlimiting example illustrated in Fig. 2 A, tabulation unit 110 may include a pump 112, a tube 114 and a nozzle 116 for providing gas (e.g., air bubbles) to liquid 30. Pump 112 may pump air from the vicinity of container 10 to be delivered to liquid 30 via pipe 114 and nozzle 116. The gas introduced from nozzle 116 may cause turbulent flow (e.g., by bubbling) in liquid 30.

[033] In some embodiments, one or more scent recorders 120 may include one or more inlet elements (not illustrated) to introducing the VCs into surfaces of one or more sensors, configured to detect VCs, included in each scent recorder. In some embodiments, each inlet element may include a filter for filtering undesired particles and VCs. A detailed disclosure of optional structures of scent recorders is given herein below with respect to Fig. 2B.

[034] In some embodiments, system 100 may further include one or more holders 140, connectable to container 10, for holding at least one tabulation unit 110 at least partially submerged in liquid 30, and for holding one or more scent recorders 120 above the surface of liquid 30. In some embodiments, system 100 may include a single holder 140 for holding at least one tabulation unit 110 and one or more scent recorders 120, as illustrated. In some embodiments, system 100 may include a plurality of holders, as illustrated and discussed with respect to Fig. 6. One or more holders 140 may be connected to container 10 by any known means. For example, one or more holders 140 may be glued, sticked, hanged, screwed, integrated, interfaced, etc. to container 10.

[035] In some embodiments, system 100 may further include a controller 130 illustrated in Fig. 2A.

[036] Reference is now made to Fig. 2B which is a block diagram of system 100 for collecting and detecting VCs from liquids according to some embodiments of the invention. System 100 may include, at least one turbulation unit 110 and one or more scent recorders 120 held by holder 140, as illustrated in Fig. 2A and discussed herein above, and a controller 130. In some embodiments, two or more scent recorders 120 may be included in system 100.

[037] Scent recorder 120 may include one or more VC detecting sensors 122, for example, chemiresistors , metal oxide semiconductor (MOS), complementary MOS (CMOS), field- effect transistor-based biosensor, catalytic sensor, electrocatalytic sensor and the like, a communication unit (e.g., wireless or wired unit) 124 for communicating with controller 130 and a processor 126. Processor 126 (e.g., implemented on a chip) may collect readings from one or more VC detecting sensors 122 and send them as a signal to controller 130 via communication unit 124.

[038] Chemiresistor sensors may be adapted to detect the presence of VCs. Chemiresistor sensor may include a material or structure that changes its electrical resistance in response to changes in the nearby chemical environment, for example, due to the presence of VCs. Commercial chemiresistor sensors 112 for sensing VCs may include a sensing element made from one of: carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon nanoparticles, conductive polymers and the like. These chemiresistor sensors are sensitive to cleaning and regeneration cycles which are required after each measurement, due to the nonuniformity nature of the sensor’s material. Another optional chemiresistor sensor may include metallic nanoparticles cores coated with organic ligands. The organic ligands may be bonded with the surface of the metallic core at one end and may be configured to be weakly bonded (e.g., interact) to a VC at the other end. The most suitable and widely used cores are nanoparticles of: Au, Pt, Pd Ag and further also alloys consisting of Ni, Co, Cu, Al, Au/Ag, Au/Cu, Au/Ag/Cu, Au/Pt, Au/Pd, Au/Ag/Cu/Pd, Pt/Rh, Ni/Co, and Pt/Ni/Fe.

[039] The most commonly type of organic ligands that may bond with the surface of a metallic particle having one of the above listed metallic cores is thiol (sulfides). Thiols can be bonded with the metallic cores via groups such as: alkylthiols with C3-C24 chains, co functionalized alkanethiolates, arenethiolate, (g-mercaptopropyl) tri-methyloxysilane, dialkyl disulfides, xanthates, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, peptides, proteins, enzymes, polysaccharides, and phospholipids. These bonds are relatively stable in comparison with other organic ligands, but not stable enough and wear in time.

[040] In some embodiments, different chemiresistor sensors (e.g., having different cores and/or different organic ligands) may be included in a single scent recorder 120. In some embodiments, different chemiresistors may be configured to sense different VCs or familied of VCs, thus a signal produced by these chemiresistors may identify these VCs. Accordingly, each scent recorder 120 may reconfigured to sense and identify one or more types of VCs.

[041] In some embodiments, all scent recorders 120 in array system 100 may be identical (e.g., having the same amount and types of chemiresistors 122). In some embodiments, at least some scent recorders 120 in system 100 may have different numbers and/or types of VC detecting sensors 122.

[042] Controller 130 may include a processor 132, a memory 134 and an input/output unit 136. Processor 132 may be a central processing unit (CPU) processor, a controller, a programable controller or any suitable computing or computational device. Memory 134 may be or may include, for example, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), a Synchronous DRAM (SD-RAM), a double data rate (DDR) memory chip, a Flash memory, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a cache memory, a buffer, a short term memory unit, a long term memory unit, or other suitable memory units or storage units. Memory 134 may be or may include a plurality of, possibly different memory units. Memory 134 may be a computer or processor non- transitory readable medium, or a computer non-transitory storage medium, e.g., a RAM. In one embodiment, a non-transitory storage medium such as memory 134, a hard disk drive, another storage device, etc. may store instructions or code which when executed by a processor may cause the processor to carry out methods as described herein.

[043] In some embodiments, memory 134 may store an operating system that may include any code segment designed and/or configured to perform tasks involving coordination, scheduling, arbitration, supervising, controlling or otherwise managing operation of processor 132. In some embodiments, memory 134 may store a code or instructions for collecting and detecting VCs according to some embodiments of the invention.

[044] Input/output unit 136 may include any unit/units that allows controller 130 to send and/or receive information from external devices, for example, scent recorders 120, 120A and 120B and user devices (e.g., laptops, tables, smartphones and the like). Input/output unit 136 may be or may include any suitable input devices, components or systems, e.g., a detachable keyboard or keypad, a mouse and the like. Input/output unit 136 may include one or more (possibly detachable) displays or monitors, speakers and/or any other suitable output devices. Any applicable input/output (I/O) devices may be connected to controller 130, for example, a wired or wireless network interface card (NIC) (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.) , a universal serial bus (USB) device or external hard drive. Input/output unit 136 may communicate with a cloud server.

[045] Reference is now made to Fig. 3 which is an illusration of a system for providing and detecting VCs from liquids, assembled in toilet, according to some embodiments of the invention. A system 300 may include at least one turbulation unit 310 for causing turbulent flow in liquid 30 containing at least one source of VCs, located inside container 10. System 300 may further include one or more scent recorders 120 and one or more holders 340. In some embodiments, system 300 may include a controller, such as controller 130.

[046] At least one turbulation unit 310 may include in addition to pump 112 and pipe 114 also a filter 318. Filter 318 may include any filtering element (e.g., mesh, fabric, activated carbon, Hepa, etc.) that is configured to filter the gas provided to the at least one turbulation unit, from undesired at least one of: VCs, humidity, dust and/or any undesired particles. The filtered gas introduced from pipe 114 may cause turbulent flow (e.g., by bubbling) in liquid 30. The turbulent flow may accelerate the transfer of the VCs from the VCs sources to scent recorder 120. Therefore, such filtered gas may include mainly or only VCs originated by the VCs source (either solid or liquid).

[047] System 300 may further include at least one holder 340 connectable to container 10, for holding at least one turbulation unit 310 at least partially submerged in liquid 30, and for holding one or more scent recorders 120 above the surface of liquid 30.

[048] Reference is now made to Fig. 4 which is an illusration of a system for providing and detecting VCs from liquids, assembled in toilet, according to some embodiments of the invention. A system 400 may include at least one turbulation unit 410 for causing turbulent flow in liquid 30 containing at least one source of VCs, located inside container 10. System 400 may further include one or more scent recorders 120. In some embodiments, system 400 may include a controller, such as controller 130 and one or more holders (not illustrated).

[049] In some embodiments, at least one turbulation unit 410 may include a pressurized gas source 412, a pipe 414 and a nozzle 416. Pressurized gas source 412 may include any suitable pressurized gas, such as, air (e.g., clean, pure, etc.), nitrogen, carbon dioxide, a mixture of several gasses and the like.

[050] Reference is now made to Fig. 5 which is an illusration of a system for providing and detecting VCs from liquids, assembled in toilet, according to some embodiments of the invention. A system 500 may include at least one turbulation unit 510 for causing turbulent flow in liquid 30 containing at least one source of VCs, located inside container 10. System 400 may further include one or more scent recorders 120. In some embodiments, system 500 may include a controller, such as controller 130 and one or more holders (not illustrated).

[051] In some embodiments, at least one turbulation unit 510 may include a mechanical stirrer 512 connected to the axis of an electric motor 514. In some embodiments, other or additional stirrers may be included in turbulation unit 510, for example, magnetic stirrers, ultrasonic stirrers and the like. In some embodiments, turbulation unit 510 may include a heating element (not illustrated) for causing local heat in the vicinity of the heating element that may form turbulent flow in liquid 30.

[052] Reference is now made to Fig. 6 which is an illusration of a system for providing and detecting VCs from liquids, assembled in an industrial unit, according to some embodiments of the invention. A system 600 may include at least one turbulation unit 610 for causing turbulent flow in liquid 65 containing at least one source of VCs, located inside a container 60. Container 60 may be any domestic or industrial unit, located either outdoor or indoor, configured to hold liquids. For example, container 60 may be selected from a sewage pit, a wastewater pit, an industrial sullage pit, a drinking water pit, a chemical reactor and the like. [053] System 600 may further include two or more scent recorders 120 and two or more holders 640 and 645. In some embodiments, each scent recorder may be connected to container 60 using a different holder 640. In some embodiments, an additional holder 645 may connect turbulation unit 610 to container 60. In some embodiments, holders 640 may be configured to hold scent recorders 120 above the surface of liquid 65. In some embodiments, holder 645 may be configured to hold turbulation unit 610 at least partially submerged in liquid 65. In some embodiments, system 600 may include a controller, such as controller 130.

[054] In the nonlimiting example illustrated in Fig. 6, turbulation unit 610 may include a pump 612, a tube 614 and a nozzle 616 for providing gas (e.g., air) to liquid 65. Pump 612 may pump air from the vicinity of container 60 to be delivered to liquid 65 via pipe 614 and nozzle 616. The gas introduced from nozzle 616 may cause turbulent flow (e.g., by bubbling) in liquid 65. The turbulent flow may accelerate the transfer of the VCs from the VCs sources to scent recorders 120.

[055] Reference is now made to Fig. 7 which is a flowchart of a method of for collecting and detecting volatile compounds (VCs), from liquids, according to some embodiments of the invention. The method of Fig. 7 may be preformed by any one of systems 100-600. In step 710 turbulent flow may be provided to a liquid containing at least one source of VCs, using one or more turbulation units. For example, one or more turbulation units 110, 310, 410, 510 and 610 may be activated for providing turbulent flow to liquids 30 and/or 65. The one or more turbulation units may be activated by a user (e.g., pressing a button) or may be automatically activated by a controller, for example, controller 130. In some embodiments, controller 130 may receive a signal from a sensor (e.g., a motion detector) indicating one of, a movement of the user, movement of solids (e.g., faces), flow of liquids, etc. and may activate the one or more turbulation units in response to the received signal. In some embodiments, the sensor may be proximity sensor and controller 130 may activate one or more turbulation units 110, 310, 410, 510 and 610 upon sensing a user in proximity to the container. In some embodiments, the sensor may be a camera and controller 130 may further be configured to process images received from the camera in order to determine the presence and/or location of a user. In such case, controller 130 may activate the one or more turbulation units based on the processed images. In some embodiments, controller 130 may activate one or more turbulation units 110, 310, 410, 510 and 610 periodically, for example, every 5 minutes.

[056] In step 720, signals indicating level and/or type of detected VCs may be received from one or more scent recorders. For example, controller 130 may receive from one or more scent recorders 120 signal indicating the level and/or the type of detected VCs. In some embodiments, the VCs may be originated from a VCs source in liquid 30 or 65. In some embodiment, the level of VCs may be below a predetermined threshold, indicating that not enough VCs reached one or more scent recorders 120. In some embodiments, the type of detected VCs is not a required one (e.g., the detected VCs are originated from the surrounding of container 10 or 60 and not from liquid 30 or 65).

[057] In step 730, the amount of turbulent flow provided to the liquid may be controlled according to the received signals. In some embodiments, controller 130 may control one or more turbulation units 110, 310, 410, 510 and 610 to increase the turbulent flow if the level of VCs is below a predetermined threshold and/or the type of detected VCs is not a required one. For example, controller 130 may increase the pumping of pump 112, increase the gas pressure provided by pressurized gas source 412 (e.g., by controlling a valve), control the rotational speed provided by motor 512 etc. [058] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. [059] Various embodiments have been presented. Each of these embodiments may of course include features from other embodiments presented, and embodiments not specifically described may include various features described herein.

Claims

1. A system for collecting and detecting volatile compounds (VCs), from liquids, comprising: at least one turbulation unit, for causing turbulent flow in a liquid containing at least one source of VCs, wherein, the liquid is located inside a container having at least one inlet for introducing at least one of, the liquid and the at least one source of VCs; one or more scent recorders; and one or more holders, connectable to the container, for holding the at least one turbulation unit at least partially submerged in the liquid, and for holding the one or more scent recorders above the surface of the liquid.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one turbulation unit comprises one of: a mechanical stirrer, a magnetic stirrer, sonication unit, vibration unit and a heating element.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one turbulation unit comprises at least one of: a pump, a pipe, a pressurized gas source and nozzle for providing gas to the liquid.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a filter for filtering the gas provided to the at least one turbulation unit, from undesired at least one of: VCs, humidity and dust.

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container has at least one outlet for discharging at least one of: the liquid and the source of VCs.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the container is a toilet.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the container is selected from, a sewage pit, a wastewater pit, an industrial sullage pit, a drinking water pit and a chemical reactor.

8. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a single holder for holding the at least one turbulation unit and the one or more scent recorders.

9. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a controller configured to control the at least one turbulation unit to provide the turbulent flow to the liquid in an amount sufficient to convey VCs to the one or more scent recorders.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to: receive from the one or more scent recorders an input indicative to at least one of: the level of VCs and a type of VCs detected by the one or more scent recorders; and control the turbulation unit to increase the turbulent flow if the level of VCs is below a required level.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to: receive from the one or more scent recorders an input indicative to at least one of: the level of VCs and a type of VCs detected by the one or more scent recorders; and control the turbulation unit to increase the turbulent flow if one or more predetermined types of VCs were not detected.

12. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more scent recorders comprises one or more inlet elements to introducing the VCs into surfaces of one or more sensors, configured to detect VCs, included in each scent recorder.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein each inlet element comprises a filter for filtering at least one of: undesired particles, humidity and VCs.

14. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the VCs are originated from a solid source located inside the container and covered with the liquid.

15. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the VCs are dissolved in the liquid.

16. A container comprising a system according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. A method of collecting and detecting volatile compounds (VCs), from liquids, comprising: providing turbulent flow to a liquid containing at least one source of VCs, using a turbulation unit; receiving, form one or more scent recorders, signals indicating at least one of: the level and type of detected VCs; and controlling the amount of turbulent flow provided to the liquid according to the received signals.